Curb construction for swimming pools



y 1, 1969 M. H. SCHROEDER 3,452,495

CURB CONSTRUCTION FOR SWIMMING POOLS Filed Aug. 28, 1967 Fl-G.3

MARTIN H. SCHROEDER INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY United States Patent US. Cl. 52102 3 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A Water-tight seal between the pool and the adjacent ground surrounding it is provided by a plastic sheet which is secured by embedding in a concrete curb and extends inwardly along the bottom of the pool.

Background of the invention This invention relates to swimming pools or the [lice and more particularly it has reference to a curb construction for a pool or the like which has been produced by an excavation in the ground without the use of such materials as concrete, ceramics or steel to form the bottom of the pool. Relatively inexpensive pools have been formed by making an excavation in the ground of a desired contour and depth and below the normal level of the water table at the selected location of the pool. It is desirable that the water of a swimming pool be relatively shallow adjacent the edge of the pool. It is also desirable and necessary that the pool be surrounded by a suitable curb construction having portions extending both above and below the normal water level of the pool.

Summary of the invention An object of the present invention is to provide a curb construction for swimming pools of the type described so that the desired water level in the pool may be maintained by providing a water-tight seal between the pool and the ground forming the beach which surrounds the pool. Other objects are to provide such a curb construction which will be relatively simple and inexpensive in structure yet efiicient in use.

According to the invention, the curb construction is made by forming along the edge of the pool a concrete base having its upper face located below the desired normal water level of the pool. Supporting means such as a plurality of horizontally spaced steel rods are embedded in the concrete base and extend upwardly therefrom. One end of a piece of pliable plastic sheet material is rolled around a horizontally extending rod which is secured to the upwardly extending rods by wire at points which are above the desired normal water level of the pool. The plastic sheeting extends downwardly to the top of the concrete base and thence downwardly and outwardly towards the center of the pool and along the bottom of the pool. A concrete curb is then cast in situ on the concrete base so that the vertical supporting rods, the horizontal rod and portions of the plastic sheet are embedded in concrete. The curb also has portions extending inwardly and thence downwardly below the normal water level.

Brief description of the drawings FIG. 1 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the curb construction embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is a detail view, partly in section, showing the rod supports for the plastic sheeting.

a 3,452,495 Patented July 1, 1

FIG. 3 is a detail view showing the attachment of the plastic sheeting to the supporting means.

Description of pneferred embodiments A preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawings wherein 10 indicates, generally, a curb construction comprising a concrete base 11 located in the ground along the edge of the pool and with its top surface below the desired normal water level indicated at W. Embedded in the base 11 and extending upwardly therefrom are supporting means such as a plurality of horizontally spaced, vertical rods 12. One end of a piece of pliable plastic sheet material 13, such as polyethylene sheeting .004"-.010" thick, is rolled a few times around a horizontal rod 14. This assembly is secured by wires 15 to the supporting means provided by rods 12. As shown in FIG. 1, the rod 14 and attached plastic sheet 13 are secured to supporting rods 12 above the normal water level W.

After the plastic sheeting 13 has thusly been secured, a suitable form is prepared and the concrete curb, indicated generally at 16, is cast in situ, as shown in FIG. 1. The curb 16 has an outer vertical portion 17 in which are embedded the upstanding support rods 12 and the attached rod 14 carrying one end of the plastic sheet 13. The curb 16 may have an inwardly extending portion 18 which terminates in a downwardly extending edge or peripheral portion 19 which extends below the water level W.

As shown in FIG. 1, the plastic sheeting 13 extends along the top surface of the concrete base 11 and thence downwardly and inwardly along the bottom B of the pool which may be formed by natural earth or an added layer of clay or other water impervious material. A layer of sand or fine gravel is preferably placed on top of the sheeting 13 which overlies the bottom B of the pool. This fabrication provides a curb construction having a watertight seal between the pool and the ground surrounding the pool which provides the beach area A adjacent the curb. While the curb may be formed with a single vertical portion 17 of suitable height, it is preferable to include the horizontal portion 18 in order to provide a convenient walk around the pool.

Various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as pointed out in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a curb construction for a swimming pool, a concrete base supported on the ground adjacent the pool edge and coextensive with the pool dimensions, supporting means fixed to said base and projecting above the upper surface thereof, said supporting means being disposed along the length of the base, a pliable plastic sheet lining said pool and having an end portion coextensive with said base and said supporting means, said end portion extending above the upper surface of the base, means securing said end portion to said supporting means, the end portion constituting a vertical web about the pool edge, the portion of said sheet inwardly of and adjacent said end covering the upper and inner faces of said base, a concrete member overlying said base and being coextensive therewith, said supporting means and vertical web being embedded in said member.

2. The structure of claim 1, wherein said supporting means comprises a plurality of spaced vertical rods each having its lower end embedded in said base.

3. The structure of claim 2, wherein the means securing said end portion to said supporting means comprises 7 3 t V V .7 V 4 a horizontal bar having the terminal edge of said end portion wrapped thereabout, said wrapped bar being fastened FOREIGN PATENTS to said vertical rods adjacent the upper ends thereof. 1,422,980 11/1965 France- 580,85 3 8/ 1958 Italy. References Cited 5 175,783 6/1961 Sweden. UNITED STATES PATENTS HENRY c. SUTHERLAND, Primary Examiner. 2,873,505 2/1959 Sheldon 52--169 3,094,709 6/1963 Miccio 52-169 US. Cl. X.R.

3,239,975 3/1966 Stier 52169 52-169 

